Dr. Strangegun or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the S&W M&P Family

One of my M&P 9’s this one is from the, “PRO SERIES,” and comes from the factory with an improved trigger pull, as well as a uniquely textured backstrap. This one is equipped with Trijicon HD nights sights (the older BIG dot variation). I have yet to try out the HD XR variants.

If you look at any of the regular gun blog or Youtube channels, you’ll notice the perpetual trend of the, “next best thing,” in carry guns. This week, it is the Hudson H9…next week, who knows? Funny thing though, is THAT marketing strategy works! It’s a psychological ploy that truly fiddles with the casual buyer’s mind, and makes them think that their gun, whichever that might be, is somehow inferior, and upgrading to the, “latest and greatest,” is the right move. So they pony up the bucks, and get the new gun. Then they notice that their performance is either equivalent to the prior platform, or their performance takes a dive. Either way, what’s gained? Money changes hands, and the smart marketeers get more of your ducketts!

I’m a fan of the old Gen 3 Smiths. They work! While not the lightest pistols, even in their heyday, nobody can dispute that they were accurate and they ran. And in the PAC NW, they were reasonably rust resistant.

I’ve been lucky enough to largely dodge this phenomena, but merely by coincidence. I have been a perpetual student for years, and a good portion of the 90’s and 2000’s cost me about $600,000 in tuition for three undergraduate degrees, my DDS and a residency program and that’s not even including my kid’s private school tuition. UGH. Thus, I could, “want,” the top hardware all I wanted, but the funds were already allocated to getting to the next semester. I was also lucky enough to work for outfits that either required a specific sidearm (or a very narrow choice in sidearms G17 or G19) and thus it didn’t make sense for me to use anything else.

My first big foray off of service revolvers into semiautomatic pistols started with the Glock 19. This was circa 1996, and the Gen 2 guns were the heat. I got one, had a set of Trijicon 3 dot night sights pressed into it, and I hit the road with it. Now, mind you this was 1996, and thus, I had 10 round magazines, thanks to Bill Clinton et al. On the armored truck, I carried four magazines on my belt, one in the gun, for a total of 51 rounds on board, plus a Smith 649 on my ankle, with two speed loaders on my belt for that. I carried the Corbon 115 grain +P+ 9mm loading, which Ed Sanow and Evan Marshall, and Mas Ayoob had spoken highly of.

After carrying that gun for about a year, both on and off work, someone introduced me to the Heckler & Koch series of pistols, specifically the USP in .45 ACP. Since I was strictly saddled with 10 round Crime Bill magazines, I figured that the larger .45 ACP bullet would be, “better,” and thus I changed pistols. The official, “change,” required that I log the make, model and serial number with my employer, and then shoot the state mandated sobriety test, er, I mean, “qualification,” course, which was 30 rounds, on a B27 silhouette from 3 to 25 yards. Not a difficult course, and graded by the numbers. I held the, “TOP GUN,” of my branch every year I was employed there (I actually won a number of belt buckles that stated such, but at the time, I wasn’t sentimental, and had no use for a belt buckle of the size that doubled as an umbrella, so I gifted them to my cowboy friends. In retrospect, I wish I would’ve kept them to give them to my Son. Alas, I digress). So I was in the .45 business, and stayed that way until 2004/2005 when the Assault Weapons Ban ended, and I decided to go to the company issued Glock 22 (with 15 round magazines). The gun worked well with the 180 grain hollow point ammunition (I think it was CCI Speer) but it bobbled with the 165 grain ammunition. That was less than inspiring, compared to the boring reliability of the USP, and the, “Area 51-like,” accuracy the USP was capable of. So, after a short stint, I hung up the Glock 22 and went back to the USP and ran it until I left the armored truck industry and went on to the next big adventure, which was dental school.

I don’t often carry conventional IWB, but when I do, I run a JM Custom Kydex #3, “TOM GIVENS,” style. Fixed loop, and a 25 degree cant makes the gun comfortable, but turns the grip in such a way that it is still very accessible while seated, but not uncomfortable. I have a #3 for K and L frame revolvers too, and they are a delight. If you have a bin full of holsters and can’t find the right IWB for you, give this one a try. The mag carriers are also the excellent fixed loops JMCK OWB model. They carry securely, and close enough to the body that you won’t feel like you’re walking around with an LVAD on your hip.

While in school, I worked as an instructor and medical program director for Tactical Response, which was strictly (at that time) a Glock 19 organization. That was fine with me, and I ran the Glock 19. In 2008 I purchased the, “Glock Killer,” known as the Smith & Wesson M&P in 9mm. This gun was odd, and it was literally absorbed by the community with aplomb. The guns became ubiquitous in classes and they really caught on. Sure, there were some lemons that TRULY had accuracy problems, but in the several iterations of that pistol that I had, ran like tops, and had no accuracy issues that weren’t directly attributed to the idiot hanging off the end of the beavertail. In short, I was pleased with my M&P, and owned a pair of them…one for carry and one for practice/competition.

How I EDC most days. A JMCK Wing Claw 2.5 for the M&P, and a Bawidamann Uber horizontal magazine carrier. I carry this combo under a tight fitting t shirt, almost everyday. Sometimes, I wear a scrub shirt over it, and it disappears completely. It is fast, accessible and quite comfortable.

Unlike the Glock with it’s severe grip angle, the M&P hugged the belt line a bit closer, which made the draw slightly different, since I had to pry my hand all of the way under the frontstrap to get a full firing grip. The gun was very slick in texture, which made it easy to move my hand into position rapidly before executing the draw. Thus, although the M&P was a bit longer in both nose and butt than the G19, it was just as or if not more concealable. I also like how easily the magazines came apart for cleaning, especially when they filled up with the Tennessee mud and fine, particulate sand. I always felt like my OEM Glock magazines became weaker and weaker every time I took them apart! I don’t know if this is a real worry, or if it just felt that way. Either way, the M&P mags were easily disassembled and they held two more rounds than the G19 to boot.

This is my travel setup, for when I have to fly. I disassemble the Shield and put it into a fitted STORM HARDIGG case that has the top of the slide facing out. Any curious baggage handlers that feel like stealing it can plainly read, “I SEE THEM.” If they chose to steal it, hopefully it’ll make the police’s job easier in recovering it. Also pictured in the shot is the EXCELLENT Safety Solutions Academy, PLAN B, aluminum magazine floorplates. They are being rebranded now as the, “MAGFIX,” and is available at magfix.co . Tell them that the Doctor sent you!

The 2.0’s lines are closer to the Shield than they are to the 1.0. Oddly, the slide doesn’t bite, even without the beavertail, and you can still drive your hand just as high on the grip!

The excellent metal clip holster from DARK STAR GEAR. This holster is what I use to carry when I don’t have a belt on. So gym shorts, or sweats. Whatever you have, this will hold them securely without the embarrassment of skinning your pistol out and finding your form-fitting holster clamped firmly on the end of it. They also do a fine job of keeping sweat off the gun AND keeping the sights (particularly bad in my experience, with the Trijicon HD sights) of eating the heck out of your skin or undershirt. I included the LCR in the Ruger variant of the DSG holster for a size comparison…there is none. Weight aside, who doesn’t want to carry a flatter, easier to shoot pistol that carries more BB’s?

After using the M&P in numerous classes to include Tactical Response, Rangemaster and Larry Vickers courses, I put tens of thousands of rounds through the guns, and probably five times that in dry-practice repetitions. I felt really good about the M&P. So much so, that I stopped thinking about it completely. I knew, on a visceral level that there were other guns out there, that probably had better QC, mechanical accuracy and easier detail disassembly, but I didn’t care. I felt confident in my skills with my pistol and I had amassed a collection of duplicate guns, holsters, magazines, and magazine carriers. It was safe to say that I was fully invested in the platform. Sure, carrying in cargo shorts and a t shirt in the summer required a bit baggier t-shirt to pull off, but it was no great feat.

Enter the S&W Shield 9mm. FINALLY, Smith had done what Glock (remember, the 43 was just a pipe dream back then in 2012) refused to do for years. Pull off a subcompact 9mm pistol, that was small enough to conceal easily, but just large enough to allow a skilled user to run the gun just like its larger brethren. The Shield was just similar enough in grip angle, trigger geometry and feel to allow the full size pistol user to transition nearly seamlessly (with the exception of recoil control and front sight tracking…short guns are always snappier) which was cool! So the niche had been filled, for a small pistol that could be carried when normally a J frame would have to suffice. I’ve tried to carry my Shield on my ankle, and I have yet to find an ankle holster that works with it (although I have heard good things about the Wilderness Renegade and I just found out that Galco now fits the excellent Ankle Glove for the Shield). So I still rock my 442 on my ankle.

My 2.0 full size. Good to go, right out of the box. Yes…some paint on the sights is useful, but unlike a Glock, the OEM sights aren’t made of plastic, and some even come with popular brand name night sights.

In 2017, the M&P 2.0 entered the scene, and I bought one of the first ones to arrive in Nashville. I’ve had nothing but success out of it. The accuracy issue, that folks have talked about, hasn’t been a problem for me. The function has been good, and with the exception of a Comptac paddle rig, holster compatability hasn’t been an issue. I’m very happy with it.

Accuracy with the M&P 2.0 Compact is good. This is 5 rounds at dude’s trouser button at 25 yards, with about one round per second.

The biggest question I get asked about M&P’s, and conversely, “WHY DON’T YOU JUST CARRY A GLOCK?” my answer is multifaceted. First, Glocks cut my hands. I use a high grip with the web of my hand wedged into the backstrap, as deeply and highly as I can, and after about 20 rounds, the slide reciprocating draws blood. Not a big deal, but in terms of comfort, it isn’t fun after the 750th round fired in a high volume, two day class. I also get the, “Glock knuckle,” pretty severely, which I understand can now be ameliorated with modifications or the Generation 5 guns, but I have yet to experience that first hand. I know that there are beavertail additions that allow the user to keep the slide from eating them up, but I have yet to find one that stays in place with heavy use, AND doesn’t make the pistol grip appreciably thicker. I have big hands and long fingers, but I don’t wish to make an already NOT thin gun thicker. As I mentioned earlier, I also don’t like how Glock magazines seem to weaken after repeated disassembly. So, for as much as I like to/require myself to shoot in practice and training, the M&P family is more conducive to comfort and reliability for me. Your ideas may vary.

Striker-fired guns seem to be the gun of choice among the cognoscenti, as well as professional gun-handlers. But don’t let that guide your decision making! I always tell people, “Carry what works for you!” The first rule of gunfighting is, “HAVE A GUN!” And as I’ve talked about in other articles, nearly any gun will do, if you will do! It really doesn’t matter, that much. What DOES matter is that you carry a gun that works reliably, and allows you to accurately deliver shots on target, when you need to. Most modern service and carry pistols are accurate…far more accurate than 99% of their users. And don’t buy, carry or justify your decisions based on what, “ORGANIZATION X,” carries…if it’s governmental, there may be political pressure involved, or their organization may simply buy guns/issues guns that are complete garbage! And who knows if the folks carrying those guns in that organization even like them…they may not! There is a local PD here that requires their officers to carry a variant of the Springfield XD, in .45 ACP. If you live in that town, don’t rush out and buy an XD because that’s what the cops there carry. As John Correia from ASP has said, “XD’s are the McRib of carry pistols.” Don’t invest any ego into your carry pistol. It’s a machine…they fall apart and break, at some point. Some, quicker than others. You’re a civilian…you have a choice in what you use. Just be smart about it, and make wise decisions like:

Does the gun work? If it is magazine or ammo related, that happens. But your gun should be inherently reliable.

Get a number of spare magazines. I recommend eight (because that’s what my pistol rug carries, but the more the merrier). Magazines are expendable. They get beat up, dented, stepped on, and they wear out. Plan accordingly.

Make sure that your gun, sights and ammo shoot to the point of aim. That means that your point of aim and point of impact should be the same! Many folks walk around with a gun that doesn’t shoot to the sights, and that can be a really bad thing. You want to hit what the gun is pointed at…not 6 inches below what the gun is pointing at.

Your capabilities in MARKSMANSHIP and GUN HANDLING are far more important than your choice in carry guns. Buy quality, buy once.

To quote my buddy Kirk, “Until they come out with a Star Trek type phaser, I’ll carry a Glock.” I feel the same way…except I’ll carry an M&P.

Have you had any issues with the stippling on the 2.0? Do you leave it as is, or sand it down a little? I find it snagging my clothes ever so often. I have to wear an undershirt otherwise it will rub my skin raw.

No. The two guys in that photo series are Ian Wendt and Morgan Atwood, and they’re friends of mine. They are presenters at Paulepalooza. They rigorously test all kinds of gear. Incogs suck for many reasons, and weapon retention is one of its weak points.

The DSG has been tested extensively under ECQC, as well as other combatives classes and it has consistently done well. I’d trust it to withstand abuse from disarms.

Of course, in any weapon retention scenario, you could have the biggest POS on the market, but having superior skills will far overshadow any equipment choice, for good or ill.

Appreciate all the good information. I’ll have to try those other holsters. Re: “If you wear it with a belt, it’s going nowhere!” I’m always concerned about this: https://imgur.com/a/28E0b Any thoughts about the DSG after seeing that?

I know the JM clip of which you speak, and this metal clip is significantly different. It also sounds like you make have the retention on your #3 overtightened. You should (with an unloaded gun) adjust the tension screw to where you can invert the holstered piece over a pillow and have it stay in the holster with a bit of movement, but not so tight that it can’t be unholstered easily. But I digress…the DSG clip is metal, and has teeth that bite into the material you hook it to. If you wear it with a belt, it’s going nowhere!

As far as pocket carry, that’s a different subject entirely. I’d recommend either the Safariland Pocket Holster, the Mika Pocket Holster, or the Uncle Mikes Pocket Holster. All of those holsters have features which prevent accidentally/unintentionally unsheathing the holster with the gun.